Fishing fathers 2024
riverbasser reply :
As a new father I have been thinking about the future of my son, one thing I thought about today was if he will share . My passion for fishing. Especially once he's older and not just doing it to spend time with me.
So I'm curious for the fathers out there, how many of your kids share in your passion or if they don't? I'm especially interested in the fathers with grown children.
CroakHunter reply :
I have a 6 month old boy, and an almost 10 year old step daughter. She loves to fish, but mainly I think it's more about hanging out and having fun with me rather than her actually wanting to fish. With him I also wonder if he will like to fish and hunt with me.
ThatredneckguyJamie reply :
2 girls, a 10 yr old and a 14 yr old that's not grown but certainly thinks she is. They have both always enjoyed hunting and fishing with me, mostly I think like you said just to hang out with Dad and eat junk food that Mom wouldn't generally condone. Having said that...as they have both gotten older and developed into "young women", they are much more picky about what constitutes a fun time hanging with Dad and have no problem telling me that. Last summer I had a proud Dad moment when telling my oldest it was time to go...I got the "one more cast Dad" she had taken one of my rods and was out there pitching a worm...it was awesome.
lo n slo reply :
my son fished with me alot between the ages of 7-16, but once he got his drivers license, not so much. he just turned 31, he still loves to fish, and we get out on the water every now and then. i have some decent polaroids and great memories.....but i’m now working on my grandson ????
make the time if you cant take the time, that goes for the girls too.
Florida Cracker2 reply :
Nope...neither my son or daughter like to fish. Took my son fishing many times and he caught nice fish, but would rather play vid games. He did however love shooting, so we did alot of shooting. My daughter took after my wife and they tell me how mean it is to catch fish. 
So my dad and I do alot of fishing together.
roadwarrior reply :
My son (35) loves to hunt, but is not a fisherman.
Took my daughter (29) white bass fishing when she was 16. My buddy and I hooked up with a fish
on every cast, then held it for her to reel in. After 100 fish or so, she went to the back of the boat to
sunbathe and relax. After 30 minutes or so she came back and "fished" for another half hour. I could
tell she was done, so we headed home and stopped for lunch. That was it...I knew after a day like we
had she was never going to be a fishergirl.
Fishing_FF reply :
I have a 3 year old and 5 year old son. They are the reason I fish. One day out of the blue, they asked if we could go fishing.
What they want is really just to turn the handle on the reel, so throwing out a float with bread or a worm on it for bluegill and sunfish isn't really fishing to them. I've found a couple recreational complexes that have a park and lake in them. We go down to the water, bait hooks, and toss them out. Then we walk to the playground to play. I keep an eye on the floats. I dart back when there is a nibble, and once the kids see a bent pole, they come running too. I keep the fish on the line until the boys get there, letting them reel in the fish. My wife goes, too. She doesn't fish, just tags along.
Just keeping it fun for them now and that's all that is important.
NYWayfarer reply :
My son is 14. I started taking him fishing when he was a toddler using a Superman spincast combo. Over the years I took him on lots of trips where I tied his hooks, baited them, unsnagged and untangled his line and most times caught the fish and let him reel them in.
He doesn't fish much with me since he has to do those things for himself. This year he has asked for a kayak so he can go with me. I see a new chapter in our fishing opening up soon.
My experience has been kids love fishing then they don't until they do again. It depends on what phase of life they are in and if it is still "cool" to hang out with Dad.
TOXIC reply :
I have a daughter 20 and a son 38. My son used to go with me wading and camping on the Shenandoah and we would catch smallmouth by the hundreds. He moved away from both our house and fishing. He is in to Tech (that's what he got his degree in and what he works in now) so our time is limited. I am content on introducing him to the sport and we occasionally go out on trips for him back to visit. My daughter fished and was pretty much outdoors all of her life but she is an equestrian and that takes up a lot of her free time and she is in college. They key in keeping kids interested is to make it FUN!! They won't stick with it if you roast them on 100 degree days and as youngsters you keep them on the water for 12 hours.
scaleface reply :
My son doesnt like fishing at all . The only sporting activity he likes is snow boarding .
RichF reply :
Fishing runs deep in my family. My grandfather got my dad into it. My dad got me into it. And now, my sister and brother in law are in to it. I hope my future spawn have the same obsession with it that I do.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
My 8 yr old son won't miss a trip. My 13 yr old daughter, not so much. She goes shopping with her mom.
the reel ess reply :
My daughter doesn't like to fish. She's 13 and into volleyball, clothes, shopping and makeup...not boys yet. She says they're all stupid. She would go kayaking with me when she was younger but she says I fish too long, which is true. Now she would only go if her other option was staying home and doing nothing. Maybe she'll have a boy that I can turn on to fishing if I live long enough.
I went with my dad and I ended up much more the fanatic than he ever was. But he kept going with me until he said he was too old to really enjoy it. We went last fall to his buddy's family's pond and he caught a few. he got tired and went and sat on the tailgate with his bud. I'm glad we had that time because he passed in May rather unexpectedly.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 1/25/2018 at 3:51 AM, the reel ess said:I went with my dad and I ended up much more the fanatic than he ever was. But he kept going with me until he said he was too old to really enjoy it. We went last fall to his buddy's family's pond and he caught a few. he got tired and went and sat on the tailgate with his bud. I'm glad we had that time because he passed in May rather unexpectedly.
Very sad. My condolences on your loss. My dad recently gave me his rods and reels as he doesn't feel steady enough on his feet to go fishing anymore. I had to start thinking about the fact that he won't be around forever.
Koz reply :
I'd say that my 12 year old son has a pretty good time fishing with his old man:
We have dozens of lagoons within biking distance so when school is out we fish 3-5 times a week. We don't fish much in the fall and winter because of school and early darkness (bank fishing at night is scary with all of the alligators in our area).
Lately he's been excited about the upcoming pre-spawn bass feeding frenzy but we probably won't have a lot of time to fish. Last week he was selected to play for an elite travel baseball team and practice starts today. Most weekends we'll be traveling to his tournaments, but once the days get longer we'll be able to fish a few weeknights.
Congratulations on becoming a new Dad. For me it's been the most rewarding - and sometimes the most frustrating - aspect of my life. It may seem hard to believe right now, but the time with your child will pass quickly. It seems like only yesterday I could cradle my son in one arm. Cherish every second of his youth and make some memories.
Vinjints reply :
Oldest - nothing outdoors.
Next daughter - likes fishing provided she's producing, and definitely prefers if it's one on one with me (without the boys)
Oldest son - slowly getting into it, likes being able to site panfish. lowest patience of them all doesn't help, but likes being outside and has eyeballed spinning reels.
Youngest - loves his spiderman spincast, won't give it up. and always ask to look at my fishing stuff. dead of winter he's wanting to go out. but enjoys playing with the tackle and learning about what each piece does and why a fish might like to eat it. he's also the one known to run around catching butterflies at the ponds.
All three of the younger ones liked when I was trying the LTB and MTB boxes, as we would all divvy it up. Maybe I sign up for a $15 box again so they can continue to get gear - even though all they ever want to use is nightcrawlers.
Fishinthefish reply :
I don't think my oldest has the heart for it, can't get his hands dirty. My middle son, plays with plastic soft baits constantly, hes a giant swimbait I got from MTB that I'll never throw (it's something like 5 oz I'll never have a setup to handle swimbaits that large.). He constantly asks to go fishing, he wants to hold the fish, reel the line in, he wants to help me clean reels, play with rods. Play with any lures that don't have a hook on it. Daughter is only two weeks old, so we will see on that one. But my middle son will definitely be a fishermen if I keep bringing him with me an encouraging his behavior. I think this year he is getting his first spincast rod and reel.
N Florida Mike reply :
Great subject ! All mine are grown.
My oldest is a natural at bass fishing , and we used to camp and fish before he moved out west with the military. He doesn't fish much anymore but he likes to camp and hike with his wife and kids.
My Middle son would fish 24/7 , and often does. He loves it so much he did it commercially for awhile. He will go anytime, rain, shine , whatever conditions.He is also very good at bass fishing, but prefers saltwater.We still go together at least once every month or two. Fishing ( and the grace of God ) is what kept us from killing each other. He was the hardest one of the 3 to raise.
My daughter doesn't fish much. When she was young , I could be catching them like crazy, and when I would hand her the rod the fish wouldn't bite. She would hand it back and I would immediately get bit.This happened so much she just kind of gave up.
I also 
have six g-kids. All but the youngest has caught fish with me in my lake behind the house.
The pic is my 12 year old g-daughter mackayla who was teaching her friend (a boy ) to fish and shoot that day. She considers herself a redneck. She can do anything outdoors better than most boys. She is so much fun to hang out with.
Very thankful for the time to fish and spend time with them all.
My dad is the one who started it all , taking me many, many times.
Bankbeater reply :
My oldest daughter was never got into fishing. My youngest daughter started fishing with me when she was about 9. We would go out to the local lake and catch sunnies, and bluegill. When she started high school all of that changed. She is now into track, and cross country.
the reel ess reply :
On 1/25/2018 at 4:01 AM, NYWayfarer said:Very sad. My condolences on your loss. My dad recently gave me his rods and reels as he doesn't feel steady enough on his feet to go fishing anymore. I had to start thinking about the fact that he won't be around forever.
Spend all the time you can with him. It won't be enough.
WRB reply :
Both my son and daughter started fishing with me around age 3 when they could swim.
My daughter is 50 my son 35 and both like to fish If I ask them to go fishing, neither call and ask me to go fishing. Not everyone is wired to fish. My wife likes to go if it's good weather and prefers reading a book over fishing and she grew up fishing. My son is a very skilled bass angler and fishes with me in charity tournaments, he also goes with me tuna and Marlin fishing.
I fished as often as I could as a youngster and still do every chance I get.
Make fishing fun for your kids, good breakfast and lunches and they will enjoy sharing time on the water with you. Expecting your kids to have your passion for fishing may disappoint you, I am happy they go if asked.
Tom
slonezp reply :
My son will be 28 this year and aside from a year or 2 in his late teens, he has always had the passion. It runs deep in my family history.
BuzzHudson19c reply :
Well I have a 6 month old daughter and I am starting her young. She was five days old and we took her to the river. Mom pushed the stroller and I threw a jig. Today she went with me to field and stream to pick out a new frog rod.
Catt reply :
Raised 4 sons & 2 daughters
1 son-in-law & 3 daughter-in-laws
Have 5 grandsons & 7 granddaughters
Only one has the passion! ????
Scott F reply :
I have no children of my own but a friend that I’ve been fishing with for 10 years has 3. His oldest son, never really fished much. The middle child, a daughter, has fished with her father but never really got into it. The youngest son nearly always came fishing with us starting when he was about 8 or 9. As the years went by, he became quite a good fisherman. He and his dad got pretty serious about muskies (which I don’t enjoy). The son was a junior musky state champ who I’d consider a die hard. Then when he became a junior in high school, he quit fishing all together. He now acts like his dad had to drag him fishing and claims he was never really into it. He’s in the rebellious phase at the moment and his dad, who was so thrilled that his son was his best fishing buddy, now just hopes that eventually his youngest will get back into fishing someday.
Koz reply :
On 1/25/2018 at 5:44 AM, Fishinthefish said:...he wants to hold the fish, reel the line in...
My son is like that. Whenever I catch a fish he could be a hundred yards away and he'll come running over to me because he wants to take it off the hook and release the fish.
pondbassin101 reply :
It's going to be a few years before I can say anything about this topic...... Though I am one of the rare sub-species of this generation that actually enjoys fishing and the outdoors.
Junger reply :
I grew up fishing with my dad since I was 4, then took a long hiatus from 14-40 (sports, girls, college, drinking, job, etc). I just got back into fishing this year after needing things to do to get my kids off electronics. I have 2 boys ages, 5 and 7. They both love fishing, but the key is constant action, and mixing other things in between when possible. And be patient and don't force the issue.
We have a local pond where there's more bluegill than it should hold, and all they have to do is dip a bobber in with bread or a piece of worm and they'll get a 4" bluegill. There's also a park where they can put the rod down and chase each other if their interest wanes. I had my 7 year old practice casting on a spinning rod once a week, and he's ready to use some lures. I've also taken both of them on charter fishing trips where it was non-stop bottom fishing and stripers. Once they feel that tug, it becomes addictive.
MichaelCopeland reply :
I grew up fishing, but around age 13 I got my first drum kit and lost interest in fishing. My son was born when I was 27 and unfortunately I wasn't back into fishing yet. Needless to say he never really got into it. At age 45 I got back into fishing, mainly bass fishing and I've tried to get my son, he's 18 now, to go fishing with me. It's like pulling teeth...lol. I did get him to go with me a couple times, but we didn't catch anything. I'm 46 now and fishing is all I wanna do. I'd really like to fish in an amateur tournament and hopefully I'll get a chance soon. Maybe one of these days my son will be interested in fishing and we can go sometimes. Here's a rare pic of him with a rod in his hand. ????
Bluebasser86 reply :
My oldest is 4 now and has the same interest in fishing and the water in general as I did when I was little. He likes to tell people about how much he loves going fishing with me, I hope he continues feeling that way as he gets old enough to make his own decisions.
NathanDLTH reply :
No kids of my own, hell not even married but two nephews and two nieces. Oldest nephew likes to fish in the summer months, it’s winter now and he’s getting into hockey, other nephew isn’t a year old lol! Nieces are girly girls which is fine, but I think in time with them. I’ll leave it at that.
NHBull reply :
My son is 31 and starting his family, so we only head out a few times a month. My daughter who is 30 will meet me anytime and anywhere for a few hours on the water and she is competitive as all hell!.
I am really looking for the grandkids to pick up a rod.
Oregon Native reply :
Lots of interesting stories....good read.
My son and I have spent many days on the water and in the woods when he was younger. He loves hunting like I do fishing....but he does love the sport. Now....over forty years later with two young boys and a six month old baby girl...his time is very limited. Grand kids love going fishing and I try to make it fun by not over doing it and staying too long. Will be interesting in this day and age how long they will enjoy it. Daughter loved to fish with dad too once in awhile but she went to that big pond in the sky...where there is no pain and no limits.
Logan S reply :
My daughter is too young to take out fishing for real yet...But she loves hanging out in the boat while I rig tackle and stuff. She loves all things related to fish and water so I'm hopeful that she will enjoy fishing, we'll probably start going on short trips in the boat this season.
3dees reply :
I grew up in the city so fishing wasn't really an interest to many. my dad never fished, so I learned from my cousins when I was in my early 20's. my son is 41 and he had a rod in his hand since he was 3. we don't get out as much now but my grandson is now my new partner. he has a passion for it.
boostr reply :
I am the only one in my family when we immigrated from Holland to Miami in 1980 that liked fishing (my brother and sister not so much, my mom doesnt care and my dad thinks it's cruel) and since we lived down the street from the bay me and my buds would go any chance we had. Anywho my son who is 7 loves it. I started him at around 3 years old. I think him liking animals and the such is what helps as well. Now hes graduating to casting gear (Rats nest here we come). it's been tough though I can get a little selfish then frustrated and a little loud cause I think he cuts into my fishing time when I have to retie, untangle, and untree his line more than what i like, but then I realize he's only 7. Glad he puts up with me. So now I'm going to teach him how to tie his own tackle and were gonna make some jigs for his jig setup.
12poundbass reply :
My son is 7 and he's been fishing with my wife and I since he was 4. He loves to go out on the boat and this past season we started a Sunday morning tradition of he and I getting up early and going out.
He loves to go turkey hunting and deer as well. We've yet to get a turkey together but got our first deer together this past November.
I'm pretty lucky he'd much rather be outside than in front of the TV or video games. He got a Nintendo 2ds from Santa this year and my nephew gave him a PlayStation 3 recently and both are old news already. The only obstacles left are drivers license and girls. I've got a while for those two so I'm enjoying this.
Chefster reply :
My 3 kids 18,10,5, enjoy fishing. Raising them in a city we try to get them “unplugged” as much as possible. Camping, hiking, fishing is all in the rotation. The older ones are hit or miss with fishing. Some days they love it. Others not so much. My 5 year old girl absolutely loves it. She can do a 4-5 hour bank fishing trip and complain about having to leave. She is starting to get comfortable with casting. But she has no problem reeling in fish. Her favorite lure is the fake worm thing(her name for a stick bait). Every fish she catches she wants to hold and put back in the water. It’s pretty cool. Biggest advice is to make it fun, don’t force it on them, and leave when they are ready to leave. I started exposing them to outdoor activities young.
Quarry Man reply :
I am 16, so I don't plan on having kids for a few more years. Both my grandfathers and my dad like to fish.my grandfather passed away before I could really get to know him and fish with him, that being said, I loved him very much and we have some great memories, but not of fishing together. My other grandfather and i fish as much as possible. Maybe once a month or so. My dad likes to fish but he prefers to catch. He will fish more in the spring during the spawn in our local Quarries (hence the name). He also fishes with me up north when we catch a ton of smaller bass. He even caught his first pike on the same trip as me! My mom likes to fish, but its really just to spend time with me. I enjoy her company when im just trying to relax.
I am planning on taking my little cousins 2 and 4 fishing with my grandfather this spring. they keep talking about it and really want to go. I will expose my kids to fishing, along with many other activities, with hopes of them emulating me. If fishing is not for them, or anything else for that matter, I will not push it too hard. But it would be great to share some of the memories i have with older family with them!
volzfan59 reply :
I won't say that they share my fishing passion. I will say that both of my boys are still fishing well into adulthood. I raised both of them fishing every chance we had. My oldest (37) is an accomplished guitar player that still fishes some. My youngest (26) is making a career in the Coast Guard. He still goes out kayak fishing when he can.
My 3 year old granddaughter loves to go "fishling" with her pop-pop! Her pop-pop loves it too.
Fish the Mitt reply :
My daughter is a typical 6yr old. Enjoys fishing for all of an hour - which I am happy to oblige to. Like most young children, the act of not "catching" anything really turns them off. Because of this, our main spot is the pond at our house - loaded with BG and Perch, and we can catch a dozen or two in that hour all while having just a blast of a time.
While I have hopes that she will grow to have a passion for bass fishing, as this can set the foundation of an even more fruitful relationship with her throughout time, I cannot force that upon her. In time, as she grows, decisions and passions will be made and created.
All I can do now is enjoy the time spent at the pond, make memories, and ensure she's having fun!
LCG reply :
I started fishing when my son was about 2 years old. I took him out a few times but when they are super young they want to catch a fish in 5 mins or less.
He is 7 now and just recently mentioned more interest in going out fishing. Makes me super happy. It's a great way to spend time together and bond.
My profile pic is from last June when he caught his first Bass using my rod. He was so happy and proud.
My advice is not to pressure them and keep it fun. Sometimes it means you do less fishing in order to help them, but its amazing to watch them. As a bonus we go for ice cream at a nearby spot after,kind of a tradition thing.
TimberTodd reply :
Both of my daughter are grown (29yrs and 34 yrs.) My youngest inherited my love for the outdoors. She will jump at the opportunity to take the other kayak out with me. My oldest, well if there was a Starbucks and a mall on the lake she might go.
bkohlman reply :
My son is 4 almost 5 and he and I go fishing together when he wants to. Right now I do not bring any of my stuff when he and I go fishing together, I just help him. We also leave almost as soon as he starts to complain. I want him to enjoy the experience as much as possible so that when he gets older we can continue to fish together.
I also have made fun games in our backyard for him to practice casting, so he can continue to be more self reliant. I try to set those up whenever he mentions it. He also helps me pick out lures when I go shopping, again, just gives him a bit of ownership of the experience.
With my dad.
Smalls reply :
We just celebrated my daughters 7th this weekend. I’ve been taking her since before she was 3.
Lately... she’s been hot and cold on fishing. She’ll beg me to go, and get bored the first 20 minutes we aren’t catching anything.
So I try to hit up the spots she can run off with her little brother and play until I see her rod twitch. Then she’s all business.
Shes estatic that I’ve given her some crankbaits and other lures to use. Lit up like a Christmas tree the first time she caught something on one.
But she’s still young and easily bored. So I don’t fight her urges to run off and pick flowers or collect rocks. And she doesn’t fight the fact that we ain’t goin home til the bass quit bitin.
And I don’t mind if she gives up fishing. She certainly gave it her alll. And I have pictures of the biggest, half-toothless, most ginormous smile I’ve ever seen of a little girl picking up a 1/4 lb largemouth bass. It sits in my wallet and it makes this grown man giggle every day.
Now, I don’t hunt much anymore, but she has shown interest in learning to shoot. This I’m hesitant of... because there will be no happy pictures of her out shooting me. I simply won’t allow it.
islandbass reply :
On 2/4/2018 at 12:42 PM, Smalls said:We just celebrated my daughters 7th this weekend. I’ve been taking her since before she was 3.
Lately... she’s been hot and cold on fishing. She’ll beg me to go, and get bored the first 20 minutes we aren’t catching anything.
So I try to hit up the spots she can run off with her little brother and play until I see her rod twitch. Then she’s all business.
Shes estatic that I’ve given her some crankbaits and other lures to use. Lit up like a Christmas tree the first time she caught something on one.
But she’s still young and easily bored. So I don’t fight her urges to run off and pick flowers or collect rocks. And she doesn’t fight the fact that we ain’t goin home til the bass quit bitin.
And I don’t mind if she gives up fishing. She certainly gave it her alll. And I have pictures of the biggest, half-toothless, most ginormous smile I’ve ever seen of a little girl picking up a 1/4 lb largemouth bass. It sits in my wallet and it makes this grown man giggle every day.
Now, I don’t hunt much anymore, but she has shown interest in learning to shoot. This I’m hesitant of... because there will be no happy pictures of her out shooting me. I simply won’t allow it.
Bring a ton of snacks that they like. That gets their attention when they’re not biting. My daughter is now 18 and she’s busy with other activities now but I think she’ll always like fishing.
We differ on one thing however. I want my kids to outdo me in everything — fishing, sports, academics. It gives me a great joy when they do. We aren’t into hunting or shooting yet, but I’d like them to be better than me in that too.
Smalls reply :
Snacks are always a must!
I usually carry the rods and tackle, and I stick water bottles, snacks, and sunscreen in a couple of mini-me sized backpacks for them to carry.
The boy is starting to catch the bug, but he is still pretty young at 3. It’s hard to keep him occupied or focused for more than a few minutes.
9/10 times I take them both fishing, We go to a small pond that you literally cannot get a bluegill off the hook before the other one has caught one. Keeps em interested, gives em confidence. A big plus is that I can park 20 feet away, so there’s less lugging stuff around.
islandbass reply :
@Smalls My son was about that age when he started. He’d say he had one on as soon as the bait hit the water because he was practicing for the real deal. He practically didn’t catch any “solo” fish until he was about 7 and even then fish were few. The thing that amazed me was he never got frustrated not even once and he didn’t give up. It’s paid off since then. He’s 13 now and he’s gotten quite proficient at catching fish. It’s a wonderfully journey to accompany them on.
I'm game for snacks right along with them. Moms a nutrition healthy type so maybe that’s why that liked coming with because it was their opportunity to eat junk food with a mom looking over their shoulder. Salad with mom (and they both won’t touch a salad with a 10’ fork) at the mall or Cheetos, other goodies and soda pop with Dad. Hmmmm.
Smalls reply :
I love taking them. Even if I don’t get to fish. Even if they aren’t the next KVD’s, I’m extremely proud of what they’ve learned and accomplish already.
My son does the same thing. So when he does actually have a fish, I almost ignore his cries of excitement until I see his rod load up. They seem to have a pretty good understanding of setting the hook when they actually have a fish.
RFSims reply :
I have two sons. One is 46 and duck hunting with his teenage sons seems to be his outdoors passion. He does fish occasionally with me. The other is 42 and a football coach. His passion is coaching football. Of the two, the coach fished the most with me when young.
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